The Colonial Origins of Modern Social Thought: French Sociology and the Overseas Empire

George Steinmetz's new history of French social thought connects postwar sociology to colonialism and empire, arguing that colonial research was a crucial core of the renascent academic discipline of sociology. He develops and deploys a new methodological approach that combines attention to contextual factors, dynamics within the intellectual development of the social sciences, and close readings of sociological texts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 576 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In this groundbreaking and innovative retelling of the history of French social thought, George Steinmetz situates the emergence and evolution of modern French sociology within the framework of the French empire following World War II. By linking the rise of various social sciences to the endeavors of France and other imperial powers to consolidate control over their crisis-ridden colonies, Steinmetz argues that colonial research played a pivotal role in the renascence of the academic discipline of sociology, particularly between the late 1930s and the 1960s. Sociologists, who were increasingly favored partners of colonial governments, were tasked with applying their expertise to address "social problems" such as detribalization, urbanization, poverty, and labor migration. This colonial orientation permeated all major subfields of sociological research, according to Steinmetz, and is central to the work of four influential scholars: Raymond Aron, Jacques Berque, Georges Balandier, and Pierre Bourdieu.

To develop and employ this methodological approach, Steinmetz combines attention to broadly contextual factors, dynamics within the intellectual development of the social sciences, and close readings of sociological texts. He progresses gradually towards the postwar sociologists of colonialism and their writings, beginning with the most macroscopic contexts, which encompassed the postwar "reoccupation" of the French empire and the shift towards developmentalist policies, which in turn generated a demand for new forms of social scientific expertise. After examining the colonial engagement of researchers in sociology and neighboring fields before and after 1945, Steinmetz delves into a detailed examination of the writings of these sociologists.

Through this comprehensive and nuanced analysis, Steinmetz offers a fresh perspective on the history of French social thought, shedding light on the complex relationships between postwar sociology, colonialism, and empire. His work challenges traditional narratives and provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the social sciences and their role in shaping the world we live in today.

Weight: 992g
Dimension: 166 x 244 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691237428